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Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Value of Failure: by the Numbers

Duotrope's Digest tells me I have had 436 short story/poetry rejections in the past four years.

I have (at least) another 100 rejections from agents for the three books I queried the traditional way: Last Days of the Springdale Saints, The House Eaters, and Rock Gods and Scary Monsters.

536 doesn't even touch the real number. Some markets aren't listed on Duotrope. Sometimes I don't report rejections or submissions.

I received well over 50 rejections before I sold my first short story, "A Fresh Coat of Paint" to Big Pulp. That story was rejected 3 times before being accepted.

The point of these numbers? Lessons. Every one of them. I learned through each and every tiny failure.

By my records, which I think are complete, I have had 153 stories accepted for publication. A handful of these are reprints. Five markets died before an accepted story was published. Several stories are waiting for publication. I was paid, at least a token amount, for 102 of those stories, ranging anywhere from $1 to $150.

Lessons. Every one.

I'm glad I started self-publishing my work in e-book format. I think it's the right thing to do--for me, for now. If I would have started in 2007... Failure. Not the good, lesson-learning failure.

Just failure.

My writing has grown because of every stumble and fall and failed story. There's no other way to become a better writer.

"My writing has grown because of every stumble and fall and failed story" -- true words, sir. I'm still stumbling along, but I hope to start picking up steam. This summer will mark the 2-year point since I began subbing my short fiction. Thanks for showing us the ropes!

I think one of the reasons you're doing so well, besides your talent, Aaron is because you also view your "failures" as lessons. It is one of the biggest things in the world to see it from that light. Keep on keepin on.

Dude, just now finished your story in Triangulation: Dark Glass and had to check out your site. This post is encouraging and disheartening at the same time since I only have ten short stories worth reading and one acceptance. Will buy one of your books with my next paycheck, which would you recommend for a starter?

JR - Thanks! If you liked "Dancing Lessons" (from Dark Glass), I'd suggest The Saints are Dead. Aqueous Press is releasing it later this month/early May. If you like novels, I'd suggest Loathsome, Dark and Deep, currently available in paperback via Amazon and others. Cheers!

Katey - 153 stories, 600+ rejections. You don't get one without the other. ;)

Your post is the same story of blockbuster authors like John Grisham and JK Rowling.According to my numbers, I have 19 blog posts and 12 comments total on ALL of them. I'm sure that at least 3 comments were mine, but I've still averaged less than 1 per post. How's that for failure??LOL..good luck and keep on, keepin' on.